Thomas Thorpe, Armed Craigslist Robbery, Missouri 2014

Kansas City, Missouri – Thomas Thorpe, 26, of Kansas City, pleaded guilty in federal court to his role in a conspiracy to commit a series of armed robberies against victims who were contacted via craigslist, which culminated in the shooting of two victims.

By pleading guilty, Thorpe admitted that he participated in a conspiracy between May 1 and Sept. 19, 2014, to rob several individuals at gunpoint. Thorpe participated in six armed robberies that occurred after conspirators posted false advertisements to buy or sell items on craigslist.org in order to entice their victims to meet so that conspirators could steal money and electronics.

Thorpe also admitted that he was involved in the shooting of two of their victims during their final armed robbery on July 16, 2013. Co-defendants Troy Wright, 23, of Grandview, Mo., and Debvon Buckner, 25, of Kansas City, Mo., have also pleaded guilty. In addition to the conspiracy and firearm charges, Wright pleaded guilty to six counts of aiding and abetting a robbery and Buckner pleaded guilty to five counts of aiding and abetting a robbery.

On the evening of July 16, 2014, Thorpe and his co-defendants robbed and shot two victims (identified as M.N. and M.K.N.) near 5500 E. 84th Terrace, Kansas City, Mo. The two victims, along with their minor son, identified as D.N., had agreed to look at a Hyundai Sonata that was listed for sale in a craigslist advertisement.

M.N. and D.N. took a test drive in the vehicle with Buckner and M.N. made a purchase offer. Buckner stated that he needed to call his wife about the purchase and walked away. As he walked away, Thorpe and Wright appeared and each pointed a firearm at the victims and demanded money. The victims tried to return to their car, but Thorpe and Wright began shooting M.N. and M.K.N. multiple times.

Conspirators took money and personal property (including a purse that contained $500) from the victims then shot one of the victims again, striking him an additional time. One of the victims was transported to a local hospital for life-threatening injuries from multiple gunshot wounds.

Defendant: Thomas Thorpe, 26, of Kansas City, Mo. Charges: One count of conspiracy, six counts of aiding and abetting a robbery, and one count of aiding and abetting the discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence. Location: Kansas City, Mo. Date: July 14, 2015. Sentence: Not specified.

Related Federal Cases